Electrode holder



May 9, 1944- F. G. VAN pYKE ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed July 6, 1942 INVENTOR. FEA/VK 6. MW Dy/(E 79/5 A Tree Ms Patented May 9, 1944 ELECTRODE HOLDER Frank G. Van Dyke, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Bordon Mfg. 00., Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 6, 1942, Serial No. 449,872

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an electrode holder adapted for use in arc welding and similar purposes in which the holding mechanism is supported on a suitable handle formed from insulating material, such as fiber or the like. The common type of holder of this class embodies a jaw retainer which is detachably connected to a cable connector, the cable connector being secured to an electric cable so that'when the jaw retainer is connected to the cable connector, the clamping jaws are thus connected to a source of electrical energy.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel construction of jaw retainer and cable connector which will facilitate and render easy the operation of removing and replacing the jaw retainer on the connector, and which will make it possible to afford proper circulation through the handle for cooling purposes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a jaw retainer and cable connector so constructed and arranged that a minimum length of these two elements is required. thus freeing the larger portion of the handle of metal parts contained therein.

In some types of holders, the shank is not made of separate parts, the jaw retainer and cable connector being in the form of a unitary structure. In order to secure the shank in the handle, it is customary to project a screw through the handle into the shank, the head of the screw being exposed on the outer surface of the handle. This screw is, of course, alive and consequently it is necessary to obtain some means of insulating the screw so that it may not be contacted accidentally or otherwise with parts which would cause a flash. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for retaining a handle on a holder shank so that no live or metal parts contacting the shank shall be exposed on the outer surface of the shank.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrode holder shank having securing means mounted therein adapted for being moved outwardly into engagement with the embracing handle so as to securely clamp the handle and the shank together.

It is another object of the invention to provide securing means mounted on the shank cooperating with the embracing handle in such a manner that the handle and shank may be secured together and the securing means accessible from the exterior of the handle, while at the same time no electrically conducting parts are exposed beyond the periphery or outer surface of the handle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode shank with a handle embracing the same provided with a reinforcing liner and coopcrating with securing means carried by the shank relation to each other.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated without departing from the invention, and it is intended that such variations shall be embraced within the scope of the claims forming a part hereof.

Forming a part of this specification is a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central vertical sectional view of the invention, showing parts broken away and parts in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig.3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cable connector used in the invention, slightly reduced.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the invention showing a reinforcing liner removed.

As shown in the drawing, the holder comprises a handle M. A jaw retainer is provided with a pair of spaced-apart tongues l6 and ii between which engage the butt ends of the clamping jaws l8 and I9 which are adapted to be spread apart by a base 20 of a stirrup having the side members 2|, the spike or handle forming member 22 with the tube 23 of insulating material mounted thereon. A spring 24 is illustrated as engaging the yoke of the trigger, this spring 24 being held in posi tion by the screw 25 which is projected through the tongue 16, the jaws l8 and i9 and the spring 24, and threaded into the tongue IT.

The jaw retainer [5 is provided with a socket 26 having an internally threaded portion to receive the threaded end 21 of the cable connector which is in the form of a thimble and provided with a bore 3| into which one end of the cable 3i is inserted.

This cable connector is provided with the spacing projections or bosses 28 which are circumferentially spaced from each other and located intermediate the cable connector. A set screw iiiii, threaded through one of the projections or bosses 28, is adapted to thread inwardly and clamp the end of the cable 3| in fixed relation to the cable connector.

Positioned in the. handle I4 is a reinforcing liner 32 preferably formed from a steel tube, and having openings 35 formed therein for registering with the openings 34 which are formed in the handle I 4. Threaded into some of the projections or bosses 28 are set screws 36 suficiently short so that they may be threaded inwardly to clear the periphery of the projections or bosses 28, while at the same time being non-contacting with the cable 2|. In mounting the handle l4 on the cable connector 21, the handle would be positioned relatively to the cable connector so that the set screws 36 will be in registration with the openings 34 and 35. It will be noted that in the preferred form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the openings 34 and 35 are of smaller diameter than the diameter of the screws 36. When the cable connector 21 is located properly, a suitable tool may be inserted through the openings 34 and 35 to thread the screws 36 outwardly into clamp ing engagement with the liner 32 of the tube l4 and thus securely clamp the cable connector and the handle in fixed relation.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slight modification of the screw 36 which corresponds with the screw 36 by providing this screw 35" with a neck of reduced diameter which engages in the openings 34 and 35 but which does not project beyond the periphery of the handle l4. In this same view, I have indicated a screw 36". which is of the same diameter as the holes 34 and 35 so that the screw may be threaded outwardly until it engages in the holes formed in the liner 32 and the handle l4. This form of connection, however, is not the preferred form.

In Fig. 7, I have shown the liner dispensed with, and the screws 38' threaded outwardly to clamp against the handle 14 so as to secure the d'able connector 21' in position.

With this method of fastening the cable connector in the handle, the connector is securely fastened in the handle free from rattling while at the same time no electrically connected parts are exposed on the outside of the handle, with all of the consequent advantages resulting from such a type of connection.

The cable connector is as shown with the spaced-apart lugs 33 having the spaces 33' therebetween registering with the grooves 28 between the projections or bosses 23. It will also be noted from Fig. 1 that the jaw retainer I is of slightly less diameter than the diameter of the cable connector 21, thus permitting a free passage of air through the handle with a consequently cooling effect.

It will also be noted that the jaw retainer tele scopes to a degree with the cable connector, thus reducing the length of the joined cable connector and retainer to a minimum. This is an advantage inasmuch as the weight of the holder is thus reduced and the extension of the cable connector and jaw retainer rearwardly of the handle also reduced, thus relieving the handle of metal parts at that point commonly held in the hand of the operator.

What I claim as new is:

1. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle; a metallic cable connector inserted in said handle; a metallic reinforcing sleeve in said handle, said cable connector being positioned within said sleeve, said sleeve and said handle having registering openings formed therein; and a screw carried by said connector and accessible through said openings and threading outwardly for clamping said connector and said sleeve in fixed, contacting relation.

2. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle; a metallic reinforcing sleeve mounted in said handle and engaging the inner surface thereof, said sleeve and said handle having registering openings formed therein; a metallic cable connector positioned in said sleeve; and securing means carried by said connector and accessible through said openings for operation for binding said connector and said sleeve in fixed relation to each other.

3. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle of heat and electrical insulating material; a metallic liner in said handle; a metallic cable connector inserted in said liner; and means accessible exterior of said handle and contained within said handle for binding said connector in clamping engagement with said liner.

4. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle of heat and electrical insulating material; a metallic liner for a portion of said handle for lining the interior surface thereof; means for securing said liner'in fixed relation to said handle; a metallic cable connector adapted for connection to an electrical conductor and inserted in said handle and of a size for rotation relatively to said handle, and engaging in said liner; and securing means carried by said connector, enclosed by said handle and accessible from the exterior of said handle, for binding said connector and said liner in clamping, contacting, fixed relation.

5. In an electrode holder of the class described, a tubular handle of heat and electrical insulating material, having a front end and a rear end; a metallic liner in said handle; a metallic cable connector inserted in said liner; an electrode clamping mechanism insertable at one end into the forward end of said handle and attachable to said connector and detachable therefrom at will; and securing means carried by said connector rearwardly of said end of said clamping mechanism and contained within said handle for binding said connector in clamping engagement with said liner, and non-interfering with the attachment and detachment of said clamping mechanism.

6. In an electrode holder of the class described, a cup-shaped cable connector for reception of one end of an electric conductor, a portion of said connector adjacent the base end being externally threaded; means for securing an electric conductor inserted into said connector; a jaw retainer having a cup-shaped, internallythreaded terminal portion, threadable onto the threaded portion of said connector for overlying a portion of a conductor secured in said connector.

'7. In an electrode holder of the class described, a cup-shaped cable connector for reception of one end of an electric conductor; means for securing an electric conductor inserted into said connector; a jaw retainer having a cup-shaped portion for reception of the base end of said connector in telescopic relation and contacting therewith and overlying a portion of a conductor secured in said connector; and inter-engaging means on said base end of said connector and on the interior of said cup-shaped portion of said retainer for securing said connector in inserted relation to said cup-shaped portion of said retainer, said inter-engaging means being enclosed by said cup-shaped portion.

FRANK G. VAN DYKE. 

